BMW MOTORRAD TECHNOLOGY BEARER FOR HIGHLY DYNAMIC SYSTEMS

As part of research activities on future regulation systems, a motorcycle test
vehicle has been created under the umbrella of BMW Group research and
technology. This vehicle has a very high engine output and lightweight
construction technology and is designed to test highly dynamic processes in
engine and driving dynamics management under extreme conditions.

BMW Head of Development Prof. Burkhard Göschel said that the choice of a
motorcycle to study fundamental technological developments was due to the very
interesting challenges relating to the special driving dynamics of motorcycles
and their tilted position: "The dynamics of powerful motorcycles operating at
the physical limits are among the most complex phenomena in the field at the
current time. For our engineers this is a highly sophisticated and at the same
time fascinating task." Additional considerations are the special motorcycle
requirements in terms of lightweight construction and aerodynamics, which are
also to be subjected to research at threshold level. The Director of BMW
Motorrad, Dr. Herbert Diess, sees in these BMW research activities valuable
impulses for serial development and emphasises: "Regulation systems for
longitudinal dynamics such as drive-slip control will be introduced for
powerful motorcycles in serial production in the years to come. In addition to
ABS they will form part of an integrated concept to increase active safety."

Engine management of the high-performance engine and the entire engine
electronics system including hardware and software will form a key focus of the
project. By conducting in-house development such as this, engineers benefit
from the expertise derived from Formula 1 and BMW's technology leadership in
the field of electronics. Dr. Diess explains: "The close networking of all
research and development activities with the BMW Group is a competitive
advantage and a key element of the strategic orientation of our entire
motorcycle development operation".

The motorcycle has only been ridden on BMW's own test circuits to date.
However, in the foreseeable future it will also be tested on other closed-off
circuits. Functional tests under the widest possible range of realistic
conditions provide the best feedback on the interplay between engine, chassis
and electronic components. The comparative data thus obtained serves to provide
a comprehensive assessment of the capabilities of this technology research
vehicle and of the development status of the components in question.